Sheikh Waiswa bows out as MUBS Imam
By Jafar Mugera
When Sheikh Muhammad Ali Waiswa arrived at Makerere University Business School (MUBS) two decades ago, the institution’s Muslim community gathered in a small room on Block 10 that could barely accommodate 30 worshippers at a time. Today, that modest beginning has grown into a vibrant Muslim community.
Sheikh Waiswa, who has served as the institution’s Imam for the past 20 years, officially retired during a farewell ceremony on July 3.
For eight years after its establishment in 1997, MUBS had no dedicated places of worship. It was not until 2005 that the institution invited the mainstream religious groups—Muslims, Catholics and Anglicans—to establish a formal presence on campus.
While the administration easily settled on structures for the Catholic and Anglican chaplaincies, uncertainty arose over what the Muslim equivalent should be called and how it would be managed.
“I was asked to write a proposal, which eventually led to the establishment of the office of the University Mullah on May 13, 2005,” Sheikh Waiswa recalled.
The term Mullah is commonly used to refer to a Muslim scholar learned in Islamic theology and is often associated with mosque imams.
With the room initially allocated as his office having been converted into a prayer space, Sheikh Waiswa spent an entire year operating from his car as he worked to establish a permanent place of worship for the growing Muslim community.
“The most pressing need at the time was a prayer place to accommodate the increasing number of worshippers. The Muslim members of staff responded to my appeal by contributing Shs 60 million, while students raised another Shs 4 million, enabling us to construct a mosque,” he said.
The overwhelming support inspired him to lobby external donors for support which culminated in the establishment of a Muslim Youth Centre and laid the foundation for the expansion of Muslim facilities at the university.
Speaking at the farewell ceremony, the Mufti of Uganda, Shaban Ramathan Mubaje, urged the MUBS Muslim community to preserve and build upon the foundation laid by Sheikh Waiswa.
“The legacy of Sheikh Waiswa is evident in the way he transformed the Muslim community at MUBS, both physically and spiritually… I therefore implore the Muslims of MUBS to safeguard this legacy and build on what he has accomplished,” Sheikh Mubaje said.
MUBS principal, Moses Muhwezi. hailed Waiswa’s contribution to the institution, describing him as a cleric whose influence extended beyond spiritual guidance to mediation, mentorship and community building.
The 3rd deputy prime minister, Lukia Nakadama Isanga hailed Sheikh Waiswa’s distinguished service, saying his leadership, commitment and dedication had positively transformed countless lives.
Born on July 1, 1953 to Ali Bakari Muyanga and Hanisa Nakisuyi of Bukakaire–Namalemba village in present-day Bugweri district, Sheikh Waiswa began his formal education at Annahdha Islamic Institute in Busembatia. He holds a degree in Sharia from Madinah Islamic University, a post-graduate diploma in Education and a Master’s degree in religious studies from Makerere University.
Over the years, he has risen through the ranks of Uganda’s Muslim leadership and currently serves as the 1st deputy Mufti.
